Thankful

--> For extended family nearby we can share Thanksgiving with (and who remember to take pictures on occasions such as these)

We shared Thanksgiving dinner with some of my extended family in Layton. They have an incredible house with an indoor trampoline/playroom that my kids cannot stop talking about. Sara was such an amazing aunt and played with my kiddos for hours while I hung out with my grandparents and aunts/uncles

-->For shorter days that somehow make my kids feel more tired and calm...sometimes
I walked into Tay's room to find the two of them just talking and hanging out in Tay's bed

They both crashed while I was making dinner...

-->For snow and a gated backyard to provide hours of safe and fun entertainment

-->For December finally making it here so I can blast Christmas music all day long and fill our home with lights and trees and warmth and cocoa and mint M&Ms and joy.

After we got the lights up, Tyson taught the kids to squint at the tree...

-->For Taylee's many good days that make up...

My little curly sue is loving curlers and getting dolled up lately...and I LOVE this stage

-->...for the not so good days

Take for example this morning, when she woke promptly at 6am, set up her tea set and helped herself to cookies, cereal, and a container of creamed honey...

...which somehow ended up in her hair. I've decided teaching your kids to be independent has its downsides.

-->For this little guy who already brings so much joy and for an awesome doctor and nurse that are taking such good care of us

He has been my most active baby and I love getting to feel him move all the time.
One of the bonuses of being high-risk is getting lots of pictures of our little guy. His little profile is just adorable

but this one just has me captivated. I could stare at it all day...I really love this little guy
I saw all his hair and his little face looks so much like Carter and his little hand rubbing his eye...I just about lost it. I can't stop smiling.
We love you little dude

Goal for December: leave the camera out...then maybe I'll have pictures to show what we're up to

Oh...and don't have the baby yet

Swine Flu

It was only a matter of time

I thought it'd be from preschool or the kids...but it was actually Ty that caught it first...poor thing. He's had it the worst. Totally out flat. Carter got it the day after, but not near as bad as Ty. Tay is healthy as ever...and I still feel pretty good too. Tender mercies. Silver lining of all the yucky is getting to spend uninterrupted time all together...just us. Even if Ty is kinda out for most of it.

My lil bro Caleb entered the MTC today. We were supposed to pick him up from the airport and drop him off at the MTC, but with the hysteria associated with swine flu and him entering the MTC, it didn't seem the best idea. So my sweet bro Chris and his girlfriend Lisa drove all the way from Idaho to do the honors. We at least got to see him for a few minutes...outdoors in the clean air...before he left for 2 years. We said goodbye to Chris 4 years ago under similar circumstances...I was 6 months pregnant with Carter when he left for Brazil....and a month later, Surprise! Hope not everything is the same this time around...little baby boy, you keep cooking! We want Uncle Caleb to hear only positive things about you.

Hungary is lucky to get you, lil bro.
We love ya!

October Festivities

We spent an evening at Cornbellys and had a blast. Carter and I didn't finish the maze, but Ty and Tay did great. The kids loved all the activities...except the haunted creature...I think Carter got a whole 5 feet in before he decided it was too scary. I'm with him...I hate scary things.

The jumping pillows were a huge hit. Ty's told me forever he doesn't want any trampolines or swingsets in our yard. He said he'd make an exception for one of these...so we looked it up. Not happening...until we have an extra $12,000 to throw down.

We bought the kids light-up swords and wands and they put on a little show on the stage...great entertainment

Hanging out in Cinderella's carriage

Ty left out of town one week for work, so Sara came up to hang out with us. She was a good sport and made caramel and chocolate apples with us. Brought me back to my high school days working at Spitzes Candy Shop. Thanks for a good time Sara...I always LOVE our conversations.

We painted our pumpkins early in the month with Ty's Aunt Karen and waited until a few days before Halloween to carve. I thought painting would be the most fun for the kids, but they had a blast carving as well.

Carter made a scary face
...and Taylee made a heart
Loving Crayola's window markers...so easy to clean...hours of fun
Carter was so excited his good buddy Noah was a dragon for Halloween...it helped make him a true knight

Taylee was definitely a true princess. She insisted on being pulled in her carriage (wagon) and would lose at least one of her glass slippers every time she got out.

The Princess and her Knight

We had a blast with Jamin/Shanda/kids...thanks for coming guys! I forgot to take a picture of our little meal, but we had some yummy halloween finger foods.

One fun Halloween!

And one tiring month...leaves you plum tuckered out

I love November...so glad it's here!

Wedding

I didn't think we had pics from Kayla's wedding, but I found some on Ty's computer from his IPhone. When Kayla gets her professionals, I'll post some more...she was so pretty and we don't really have any good pics of her. Carter was also the ring bearer and there aren't any pictures of that...so I'll post that later.

These are the practice cakes I made before we left for Spokane. Double layer Red Velvet with cream cheese frosting middle.

The final products. Ty and Isaac were lifesavers and spent the time and armwork tinting the fondant while I worked on the rest of the cake. I thought they got the colors just perfect.

This isn't a great picture, but it kind of shows Kayla's hair. I had so much fun doing a rope braid on both front sides and then all up in curls in the back with pearls and flowers. Kayla had this gorgeous green and gold silk tied into her hair and it really sparkled.

Ty's family are all great dancers....we had a blast with the dancing at the wedding. Carter was so excited to dance with a little girl, Lily. Taylee tried to cut in, but found another partner, Gideon, instead.

All the sisters/sister-in-laws got pedis/manis. It was Taylee's first time and she was so cute about it all. She picked out her favorite color hot pink.